The beginning of spring marks more than just a new semester for SigEp—it means that officer transition season is upon us. 

This should be an exciting time for your chapter! If you are an outgoing officer, you want to ensure all your hard work is not wasted. If you are an incoming officer, you want to learn everything possible from your predecessor, develop fresh, innovative ideas, and hit the ground running.

If you haven’t already, download the Officer Transition Guide and use it as you get ready for another strong year. 

As you prepare for your transition and utilize this guide, just remember these four things:

Transitions are more than a hand-off

Your predecessor has worked hard to serve the chapter, and along the way he’s learned tips, tricks and best practices that can help you excel in your time in office. Be sure to meet with your predecessor to become fully aware of everything he’s done while in office and ask him what he would do differently if he could start over now. 

Executive boards must lead together 

New chapter officers may not have collaborated before, and some may have even competed in the recent elections. Now, after a hard-fought campaign, it’s time to work side-by-side to serve the Fraternity. An officer transition is the best opportunity available for your new leadership team to become acquainted with each other’s leadership style and learn how to work together. 

S.M.A.R.T. goals will define your experience

If you don’t have goals, you don’t know where you’re going. The officer transition retreat and Carlson Leadership Academy are two perfect places to consider and set goals that you can pursue as a team. If you haven’t already, sign up for Carlson to set effective, powerful goals that will drive your officer experience.

12 months is a very, very short time

You might think it sounds like forever, but before you know it your term will have passed and you’ll be preparing to transition to your successor. Don’t waste time waiting for someone to tell you what to do. Take the initiative by meeting with your predecessor, reading your officer transition guide and preparing for Carlson. Serving as an officer is an honor, and you don’t want to let it pass you by.

Remember, Sigma Phi Epsilon is YOUR fraternity, and the success of your chapter this year lies in your hands! If you are prepared, dedicated and hungry for success, you can make a difference.

Mike Selby is the Director of Housing for West Chester University Properties and a long-time chapter volunteer with the Pennsylvania Tau Chapter. He currently serves as Lieutenant District Governor for District 6.